American Reactions to The Russian Revolution Describe what you see. What things and/or objects are shown? What words do you see? What is happening in the cartoon? What do you think this cartoonist’s opinion on Labor (Unions) was? Strikes - a refusal to work organized by a body of employees as a form of protest Disorder - to disturb the order Bolshevism – the doctrine of the Bolsheviks advocating violent overthrow of capitalism Riots - a violent disturbance of the peace by a crown Chaos - complete disorder and confusion 1
Transcript
American Reactions to The Russian Revolution
Describe what you see.
What things and/or objects are shown?
What words do you see?
What is happening in the cartoon?
What do you think this cartoonist’s opinion on Labor (Unions) was?
What methods does the cartoonist use to persuade you?
Strikes - a refusal to work organized by a body of employees as a form of protest
Disorder - to disturb the order
Bolshevism – the doctrine of the Bolsheviks advocating violent overthrow of capitalism
Riots - a violent disturbance of the peace by a crown
Chaos - complete disorder and confusion
1
Contextualizing:
Places:
Russia-The Russian Revolution took place from March 8, 1917 - November 8, 1917
United States-There were labor movements fighting for their rights in the early 1900’s.
Events in the United States:
Sedition Act of 1918
An Act of the U.S. Congress that made speech and the expression of opinion that cast the government or the war effort in a negative light or interfered with the sale of government bonds a crime.
Palmer Raids
A series of raids in the late 1919 and early 1920 by the United States Department of Justice intended to capture, arrest and deport radical leftists, especially anarchists, from the United States
Boston Police Strike
Boston police officers went on strike on September 9, 1919. They sought recognition for their trade union and improvements in wages and working conditions.
People:
Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman:Politically active anarchists.
William D. Haywood: Founding member and leader of Industrial Workers of the World and member of the executive committee of the Socialist Party of America.
Frank Little: American labor leader who was lynched for his union and anti-war activities, had joined the Industrial Workers of the World n 1906.
Vocabulary:
2
Libertarian: A person who believes in the doctrine of free willGlorifying: Describe as admirableAutocracy: A system of government by one person with absolute powerTriumph: A great victoryFormer: Denoting the first mentioned of two thingsCzarism: The government of Russia under the czarsRampant: Spreading uncheckedDenounced: Publicly declare to be wrongPitiful: Very small, inadequateDisconcerted: Disturb the composure ofVigorous: Involving strong effortMenace: A threat or dangerAffiliation: Associated withUnionization: To organize into labor union
Primary Source A: The triumph of Revolutionary principles in Russia
3
Sourcing: Source this newspaper.
Where: Chicago, Illinois When: February 1918Who: The Social War Bulletin
What kind of newspaper was The Social War Bulletin: A communist newspaper in the United States
Close Reading:
“America is betraying liberty at the very moment that Russia is glorifying it.” “America does not care deeply about liberty—else it would not imprison Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman because they are libertarians.”“If America really cared about liberty it would not imprison William D. Haywood and hundreds of members of the Industrial Workers of the World because they believe in industrial freedom.” “If America really cared about liberty it would feel the shame and dishonor involved in the lynching of Frank Little.” “There have been revolutions in the past. There have other revolutions in our day. But never a revolution like this one in Russia.” “The United States of America profess to be in the war to ‘make the world safe for democracy.’ But Russia is concerned with something indefinitely more important than democracy. Democracy means rule by the people. Autocracy means rule by a Czar. Russia has overthrown autocracy, but it rejects democracy, and it pledges its allegiance to a future of FREEDOM.”
Corroborating Questions:
1. Are these Americans for or against the Russian Revolution?
2. Look at the contextualizing section on page 2, specifically read information on People. Why do you think that Emma Goldman, Alexander Berkman, William D. Haywood, Frank Little were arrested or killed?
3. Are these Americans in favor of autocracy?
4. Are these Americans in favor of democracy? Explain.
4
Primary Source B: Russian Revolution Big Victory for Democracy over Autocracy
5
Sourcing: Source this newspaper.
Where: *Princeton, MinnesotaWhen: *February 1918Who: *The Princeton Union
What kind of newspaper was The Princeton Union: *A Liberal newspaper in the United States
Close Reading:
“The drawn out contest between the Russian democracy and autocracy has now ended dramatically in the complete triumph of the former…No greater triumph for the cause of civilization and freedom has been registered in the history since the French Revolution…The Russian revolution is entirely a product of the war. Had there been no war, had Russia not been allied with the great democracies of Europe, czarism would still be rampant today…”
Corroborating Questions:
1. Consider the title of this Newspaper: Russian Revolution Big Victory for Democracy over Autocracy. Were these Americans in favor of democracy?
2. Are these Americans for or against the Russian Revolution?
3. How are these American’s opinions different from the Americans on Primary Source A? Explain.
4. Look back at the sourcing section you filled out above. Besides the place of publication (where), the date it was publicized (when) and the name of the newspaper (who), what else is different between this newspaper and The Social War Bulletin?
6
Primary Source C: Boston Police Strike Broken
7
Sourcing: Source this newspaper.
Where: *New York, New YorkWhen: *September 13, 1919Who: *The New York Tribune
What kind of newspaper was The Princeton Union: *A Republican newspaper in the United States
Close Reading: “The President at Coeur d’Alene, as he did at Helena last night, roundly denounced the Boston police for striking. His remarks to-day [sic] followed his reference to the condition of affairs in Russia. ‘Don’t mistake the signs of the times.” Said he. ‘The poison that has spread all through pitiful Russia is spreading elsewhere in the world, and just as certain as those people in Russia are disconcerted just so certain there will be upsetting of order in Europe and elsewhere.”
Corroborating Questions:
1. Is this American for or against the Russian Revolution?
2. Look at the contextualizing section on page 2, specifically read the Boston Police Strike information on Events. Why was this American against the Boston Police Strike?
3. Explain how this American describes the Russian Revolution.
4. How does this American’s opinion about the Russian Revolution differ from the Americans on Primary Source A and B? Explain.
5. Consider the sourcing of Primary Source A, B, C. Why is this American’s opinion different from the Americans on Primary Source A and B?
8
Primary Source D: State Guardsmen in Boston Again Fire on Rioters
9
Sourcing: Source this newspaper.
When: *September 12, 1919
Close Reading: “A soviet government in the United States within two years, unless Congress takes vigorous action to check the growing unrest throughout the country, was predicted by Senator Myers, Democrat, of Montana, in the Senate this afternoon. Senator Myers saw a grave menace in the organization of the police force of the District of Columbia for affiliation with the American Federation of Labor. Unionization of the police of every city of more than 5,000 population ill follow within sixty days, Senator Myers said, If Congress does not halt the present effort of the Washington police. Unionization of the army and navy would come next, he believed.”
Corroborating Questions:
1. Is this American for or against the Russian Revolution?
2. Why was this American against the Boston Police Strike?
3. This newspaper was written the day before Primary Source C. What seemed to be the mindset about Labor Unions at this time period?
4. Look at the contextualizing section on page 2, specifically read the Events in the United States. Why is there a shift in how Americans reacted to the Russian Revolution?
5. What does the Boston Police Strike have to do with The Russian Revolution?
6. Why do you think that this American was afraid that “unionization of the army and navy would come next?”
10
Primary Source E: The Harvest
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1919
11
Sourcing: Source this newspaper.
Where: Bisbee, ArizonaWhen: November 28, 1919Who: The Bisbee Daily Review
What kind of newspaper was The Bisbee Daily Review: A Republican newspaper in the United States
Close Reading:
“The deadly plans of the…[Russians]…came to light in the Boston police strike, the steel strike and the coal strike. In no uncertain manner has the public been shown that organized labor has been used as a shield behind which organized anarchy worked and that honest workmen have been blinded as much as the general public by the propaganda spread.”
Corroborating Questions:
1. Is this American for or against the Russian Revolution?
2. Who is this American blaming for strikes occurring in the United States?
3. Would this American agree with the Americans in Primary Source A? Explain.
4. Why were Americans so against organized labor in 1919?
5. Why does this American refer to organized labor as anarchy?
12
Russian (U.S.S.R.) Flag starting in 1919:
Write down your prediction about what you think the First Red Scare was, based on American reactions to The Russian Revolution. (Minimum two paragraphs)
